These soft conditions must be reminding Ricky Barnes of last year’s U.S. Open at Bethpage Black. Buoyed by an eagle on the par-5 fifth hole, Barnes is 5-under through 10 holes and 9-under for the championship, two strokes behind our new leader Louis Oostheizen.

Annnnd, Barnes just stiffed his tee shot on No. 11. He looks good. Oops, he just yipped it. Still a strong start.

You haven’t missed too much, though, as John Daly won’t tee off for another two hours, first-round leader Rory McIlroy for another three hours, and Tiger Woods for another four hours.

Paul Casey is moving into position, as he birdied the first three holes and is 5-under through eight, as well as 8-under for the championship. Mark Calcavecchia is your leader in the clubhouse after shooting a 5-under 67 in the first group, to reach 7-under overall.

If you are monitoring the cut, Phil Mickelson just eagled the fifth hole to get to 3-under on his round and 2-under for the championship, despite missing a cripple on the first hole. Rickie Fowler is bouncing back from his 79 by going 3-under through eight, but he’s still tied for 130th.

It was forecast last night that the late tee times would have the more favorable conditions, but there has been no wind this morning, just rain. Wind is expected to pick up this afternoon.